Africa’s diverse geography and expanding economies have fostered an extensive network of airports and airfields across the continent.
From major international hubs handling millions of passengers each year to small airstrips connecting remote communities, these facilities play a vital role in transport, tourism, and economic activity.
Airports are defined as facilities with paved runways and regular commercial services, primarily handling passenger flights, cargo transport, and connecting cities or countries.
Airfields, on the other hand, include smaller or unpaved strips used for private, regional, or specialized operations, often accommodating helicopters, charter flights, and logistical or emergency services.
The data for this ranking is sourced from the World Factbook by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), specifically the Country Comparisons section on Airports. Totals include all locations recognizable from the air, whether paved or unpaved, and may cover closed or abandoned installations.
Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, ranks 18th on the continent with approximately 50 airports and airfields. Of these, 23 are operational and managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), handling over 18 million passengers annually, according to the ICAO State Profile: FAAN 2024. Despite a population of more than 200 million, most Nigerians rely on road transport, and limited income and demand restrict air travel.
The list below presents the ten African countries with the largest number of airports and airfields in 2025, highlighting major international gateways, regional connectivity, and the role of smaller airstrips in linking communities, supporting tourism, and facilitating economic and logistical activity.
The Democratic Republic of Congo holds the third position in Africa with 273 airports and airfields, a figure driven by its vast size and difficult terrain. N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa and Goma International are the country’s busiest gateways, connecting it to regional and international routes.
Beyond these hubs, hundreds of smaller airstrips provide critical access to towns and mining communities across remote provinces, where road and rail infrastructure is limited. Many of these facilities support the transport of minerals, supplies and workers, making aviation indispensable to the DRC’s economy and internal connectivity.
The spread of airstrips also reflects the country’s reliance on aviation for regional integration. With the Congo River and dense forests creating natural barriers, aircraft often remain the most practical link between provinces. This has led to a patchwork of airfields maintained by local authorities, private operators and mining companies, each playing a role in keeping the vast nation connected.
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